The Williamsport Guardian’s second anniversary is upon us—our April issue will mark our entry upon year number three of publication. Pending this momentous occasion, we, the editors, have important announcements to make about future directions for our “local, alternative rag.”

As of the April issue, we will be embarking on a new era for our publication and our organization; in order to pursue related interests, we will be reducing our published issues from ten to six yearly.

This is not, as many would assume, a plaintive cry for help (although more help, and more volunteers are needed and appreciated). Rather, after two years as a print publication, we’ve decided that it is time for us to branch out into other areas of concern to our community.

To that end, editor Alison Hirsch will be pursuing the establishment of a cooperatively owned and operated radio station in Williamsport, and editor Liz Miele will be sowing her dreams in the Williamsport Community Garden Project. We will also be able to devote more time to establishing and maintaining our website, and, eventually, to adding new and interactive features to create a truly local and informative site.

We are, after all, women (and men) of action, and we hate to fall into the trap of committing ourselves in one area and being unable to explore others. We are women quite similar, in fact, to the many women we chronicle in this issue—from women strong and liberated enough to talk about their libido and vaginas onstage, to women motherly enough to fight for the right to breastfeed their children in public, to women quick-minded enough to keep their businesses above water in a tough economy.

We have a full issue indeed, with great photos and artwork created by local women artists, and inspiring stories of women in our area making a difference. But we haven’t neglected other issues at work in our area and outside: Dave Dalton writes in with a report from overseas on global warming, and Chris Hughes presents a chilling picture of modern media. Our newly established Keeping You Posted... and Take Action segments will provide food for thought and action.

This issue is full of the fervor and conviction you’ve come to expect from us, and it make you question why this shouldn’t continue to be a monthly publication. ‘Wait,’ we hear you cry, ‘how will I make it through the months between issues of the Guardian?’ We have some suggestions.

Get involved with the Guardian. What reads like a cool paper is even more fun from the inside. Join our harried all-night editing sessions or research and write our articles yourself! We are currently seeking help in several areas—we need news-minded journalists, strong-armed distributors and thick-skinned ad salespeople to bolster the paper. (A great way to meet Guardian staff and supporters and offer your services is to attend our next Volunteer Party on March 18 [see ad on page 2], or contact us directly via email.)

You can also get involved in one of our other projects. Help our webmaster Curt as he struggles to make our website the best it can be and get it up and running. Join our efforts to establish a community radio station for the Williamsport area, and help local musicians and thinkers be heard throughout the region. Bring your shovels, gloves and inspiration to the community garden dreamed up by editor Liz Miele and a passel of friends.

If enough of our readers and supporters pony up some time, we might be able to make everyone happy—we can pursue our outside interests, and recruit a new slew of people to keep our print publication monthly. It’s up to you, folks. If you like what you see, or if you think you could make it better, put your time where your mind is. Join the Guardian staff and experience the thrills of grassroots publication.